Snow removal apparatus

ABSTRACT

A snow removal apparatus is presented having a snow collection system that includes a housing having an auger and an impeller. The snow collection system feeds collected snow to a main duct which feeds the collected snow to the hollow interior of a tank. The tank includes at least one baffle therein and a heating system which rapidly converts the frozen snow into liquid and steam. The steam generated within the tank is vented through an exhaust opening into the atmosphere. By converting snow to steam the snow removal apparatus presented increases the speed and ease of snow removal and elevates many of the disadvantages of conventional snow removal such as snow transportation and storage.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/987,749 filed May 2, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention relates to a snow removal apparatus. Snow removal is a time consuming, labor intensive, and equipment intensive process. Accordingly, snow removal is a very expensive endeavor for communities of all sizes and populations, especially in areas where space to pile and store the snow off the roadway is limited, such as in downtown areas, roadways with adjacent barricades, and airport settings where there is not much space to pile up the snow.

Traditional methods of snow removal from areas where space is limited including plowing newly fallen snow into rows. The rows of snow are then either plowed to the side of the road or delivered to a dump site via graders, front-end loaders and dump trucks. This process is very time consuming, inefficient, and costly. Additionally, the snow removal vehicles may have to maneuver in relatively confined areas, which in turn requires a smaller sized and less efficient snow removal equipment. Further, in the case of on-site snow storage, the collected snow often consumes needed space, such as parking spots or storage areas.

Therefore, there exists a need for a snow removal system that is maneuverable, eliminates the need for on-site snow storage, efficiently heats and melts the collected snow, and meets or exceeds the performance requirements of the end user.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A snow removal apparatus is presented having a snow collection system that includes a housing having an auger and an impeller. The snow collection system feeds collected snow to a main duct which feeds the collected snow to the hollow interior of a tank. The tank includes at least one baffle therein and a heating system which rapidly converts the frozen snow into liquid and steam. The steam generated within the tank is vented through an exhaust opening into the atmosphere. By converting snow to steam the snow removal apparatus presented increases the speed and ease of snow removal and elevates many of the disadvantages of conventional snow removal such as snow transportation and storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a snow removal apparatus attached to a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the snow removal apparatus attached to a vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a front thrower of the snow removal apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the snow removal apparatus attached to a vehicle;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the snow removal apparatus attached to a vehicle; and

FIG. 6 is schematic cross-sectional view of a tank of the snow removal apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a snow removal apparatus 10 is generally shown in FIG. 1. The snow removal apparatus 10 is designed to collect snow disposed upon a ground surface, such as a road or parking lot. Once the snow is collected, it can be melted into water and/or heated into steam for subsequent removal from the snow removal apparatus 10.

Once melted, the collected snow occupies only a fraction of the volume of the collected snow. Additionally, the discharge of the water and/or steam can be a continuous process thereby limiting the amount of collected snow and/or water that must be stored within the snow removal apparatus 10. For example, the water may be disposed of by discharge it into a catch basin, tanker, reclamation system, or the ground surface outside the limits of the roadway. Additionally, the collected snow can quickly be sublimated into steam and released from the snow removal apparatus 10.

With reference to FIGS. 1-6, the snow removal apparatus 10 includes a snow collection system 12, a heating system 14, and a tank 16. Generally, the tank 16 houses a portion of the heating system 14. Further, the tank 16 stores the collected snow as it is melted. The snow collection system 12 collects the snow from the ground surface and deposits the collected snow into the tank 16. The heating system 14 heats and maintains the temperature within the tank 16 for quickly converting the collected snow into water and/or steam.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the tank 16 is in communication with the snow collection system 12 such that the snow collection system 12 delivers the snow to the tank 16. The snow collection system 12 will be described in detail below. As illustrated in the Figures, the tank 16 is adapted to be coupled to a vehicle, such as a truck. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the tank 16 may be adapted to be a stationary object, wherein the collected snow is deposited into the tank 16 by a separate device, such as a front end loader or a dump truck (not shown). Further still, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the snow collection system 12 may be separated from the tank 16 such that the tank 16 is disposed upon a first vehicle or trailer and the snow collection system 12 is disposed upon a second vehicle that either tows the first vehicle or trailer or operates in proximity to the first vehicle or trailer, discharging collected snow into the tank 16.

The tank 16 may be formed from any rigid material, such as steel. The tank 16 is typically bolted onto a base that consists of multiple metal beams that are contoured to the proper shape to support the tank 16. For extra stability, bracers may be placed between each beam as well.

The tank 16 may be a rectangular hollow block structure having four side walls, a bottom surface, and a top surface. Although the tank 16 is depicted and described as being a hollow block structure, it should be apparent that the tank 16 may be formed in any suitable manner, such as to have a rounded cross-section.

As best shown in FIG. 6, the tank 16 defines a storage chamber 18 configured to store the collected snow, water, and/or steam. The tank 16 includes at least one baffle assembly 20 extending outward toward the side walls of the tank 16. The baffle assembly 20 reduces a free surface effect of the water and/or collected snow contained in the storage chamber 18, especially during braking and accelerating operations by the vehicle. It should be appreciated that the tank 16 can include any suitable number of baffle assembles 20.

The baffle assembly 20 includes at least one vent hole 22 near a top of the baffle assembly 20 for allowing passage of steam from one portion of the storage chamber 18 to another portion of the storage chamber 18 separated by the baffle assembly 20. Likewise, the baffle assembly 20 includes at least one fluid hole 24 near a bottom of the baffle assembly 20 for allowing a specific passage rate of water from one portion of the storage chamber 18 to another portion of the storage chamber 18 separated by the baffle assembly 20.

As alluded to above, the snow collection system 12 is in communication with the tank 16 for transporting snow from the ground surface into the storage chamber 18 of the tank 16. With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the snow collection system 12 includes a front thrower assembly 26, which comprises a housing 28 surrounding at least one auger 30. More typically, the front thrower 26 includes three augers 30. Typically, when the snow removal apparatus 10 is attached to the vehicle, the augers 30 are 16-inches in diameter and 120-inches wide. However, it is to be appreciated that the augers 30 can be of any suitable size required based on the size and application of the snow removal system. Additionally, the augers 30 may be heated to minimize a buildup of snow and ice on the augers 30, which could slow or stop the collection of snow.

In the illustrated embodiment, the front thrower 26 includes a first auger 30A and a second auger 30B arranged adjacent to each other. Additionally, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a fan or impeller 32 is located downstream from the augers 30 to assist with the transportation of the collected snow into the storage chamber 18 of the tank 16. As the snow travels through the augers 30 and the impeller 32, it is chopped into fine particles that can be heated and sublimated fairly quickly once inside the storage chamber 18.

The snow collection system 12 may include a main duct 34 disposed between the augers 30 and the tank 16 for directing the collected snow from the augers 30 to the storage chamber 18 of the tank 16. The main duct 34 has a first end coupled to the housing 28 of the front thrower 26 and a second end directed to discharge into the storage chamber 18. The impeller 32 is located at the first end of the main duct 34 opposite the tank 16. The impeller 32 imparts a selected velocity to the snow chopped by the augers 30 and directs the snow through the main duct 34. It is to be appreciated that the main duct 34 may be heated for preventing the buildup of snow and ice within the main duct 34 as well as assisting with the conversion of the collected snow into water and/or steam.

The augers 30 and impeller 32 of the snow collection system 12 can be powered by any suitable means. For example, the snow collection system 12 may be powered by a well-known Power Take-Off (PTO) device which would couple an engine of the vehicle to the snow collection system 12 to power the snow collection system 12.

Although the illustrated embodiment depicts the main duct 34 for directing the collected snow from the housing 28 of the front thrower 26 to the storage chamber 18, it should be appreciated that alternate snow conveyance means may be employed, such as a conveyor belt.

With reference to FIG. 6, the heating system 14 is at least partially disposed within the storage chamber 18 of the tank 16. The heating system 14 includes cables and/or tubing 36 for conducting an electrical current to generate heat within the storage chamber 18 of the tank 16. The tubing 36 is coil wound to an interior of the tank 16 such that the tubing 36 lines the interior of the tank 16.

The tubing 36 may contain a wire disposed therein for conducting the electrical current. The wire may be a nichrome 80/20 wire, which has relatively high resistance and forms a layer of chromium oxide when heated for the first time. However, any suitable wire and/or tubing 36 may be used to quickly obtain and maintain the proper temperature within the storage chamber 18. Additionally, the oxidation prevents the wire from breaking and/or burning out. The tubing 36 may include a layer of ceramic electrical insulation coving the wire with a metal sheath covering both the insulation and the wire. The metal sheath may comprise copper, which has a melting point of about 1,984 degrees Fahrenheit (1,085 degrees Celsius).

The heating system 14 may include a layer of insulation within the tank 16 between the tubing 36 and the interior of the tank 16. The insulation between the tubing 36 and the inside of the tank 16 prevents outside cold air from leaking in the storage chamber 18 thereby cooling the temperature of the storage chamber 18. Additionally, the insulation prevents the outside of the tank from become too hot.

In addition to the tubing 36, the heating system 14 may utilize the exhaust of the vehicle to heat and or maintain the temperature within the storage chamber 18 at the proper temperature. As such, the tank defines an engine exhaust inlet 38 for allowing the exhaust from the engine to enter the storage chamber 18.

The electrical current is provided to the tubing 36 by a battery system. The battery system can be recharged in any suitable manner. For example, the battery system can be coupled to the engine of the vehicle such that the engine of the vehicle recharges the battery system. Additionally, the battery system may include an independent engine specifically dedicated to the recharging of the battery system. Furthermore, the battery system may be recharged by regenerative systems which convert output energy into stored energy within the battery system. For example, the vehicle may include a regenerative braking system for converting braking energy into stored energy within the battery system. Additionally, rotation of a secondary free axle on the vehicle may also be utilized to recharge the battery system.

The heating system 14 is controlled by a heating control device with easily accessible emergency shutoff will be located in the cab for the operator.

When the tank 16 reaches proper temperature, which can be observed by the operator from the cab, the snow removal apparatus 10 will then be capable of converting snow into steam. Once the proper temperature is reached, any snow or water within the storage chamber 18 will be converted to steam and will travel to an exhaust opening 40 defined by the tank 16 where the steam is discharged from the tank 16. It is to be appreciated that the exhaust opening may include a pressure valve 42 for selectively allowing passage of the steam from the storage chamber 18 into the atmosphere once a predetermined pressure is reached within the storage chamber 18. The pressure valve 42 also minimizes heat loss during operation of the heating system 14.

It is to be appreciated that the steam may be used to power the engine of the vehicle any/or to recharge the battery system of the vehicle in an effort to increase an overall efficiency of the vehicle.

It is to be appreciated that the process of converting the collected snow into water and/or steam may include spraying the collected snow with water. The water sprayed onto the collected snow may be heated to further assist with the conversion of the collected snow into water and/or steam. Additionally, the process of converting the collected snow into water and/or steam may include the application of heated air directed at the collected snow rather than just maintaining the temperature within the tank 16.

In operation, as the snow removal apparatus 10 moves forward, the front thrower 26 scoops up snow from the ground surface and directs the snow into the augers 30. The augers 30 pulverize the snow and direct the pulverized snow into the impeller 32. The impeller 32 imparts a high velocity to the collected snow for forcing the snow through the main duct 34 and into the storage chamber 18 of the tank 16.

As the snow is discharged into the tank 16, the snow is rapidly heated to convert the snow from a solid to a liquid and eventually to a gas. The steam is then discharged from the tank 16 through the exhaust opening 40. The tank 16 may include a drain port for removing any water collected within the storage chamber 18 of the tank 16. It is to be appreciated that during normal operation of the snow removal apparatus 10, the drain port is not utilized because the water within the storage chamber 18 is converted to steam. However, the drain port allows for maintenance and the release of any condensation that may build within the storage chamber 18 during transportation of the snow removal apparatus 10.

In addition to surrounding the augers 30, the housing 28 may also be designed to ride along the ground surface for clearing the ground surface of snow. However, it is understood that due to the often uneven surface of the ground surface, the housing 28 may not be capable of collecting and removing all of the snow from the ground surface. As such, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the snow removal apparatus 10 may include at least one brush 41 for sweeping the ground surface clear. Additionally, the snow removal apparatus 10 may include a ground heater 43 configured to directed heated air toward the ground surface. The heated air may be obtained from the storage chamber 18 of the tank 16 and/or from the exhaust of the motor driving the vehicle and/or the augers 30.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Alternative Arrangement: While the snow removal apparatus 10 is shown and described herein primarily as a self-powered and full-sized vehicle, such as a conventional truck, it is hereby contemplated that the snow removal apparatus 10 can take on any shape or form. That is, it is hereby contemplated that he snow removal apparatus 10 is small enough to be operated by hand, such as being sized and shaped similar to conventional snow blowers. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A snow removal apparatus comprising: a snow collection system; the snow collection system having a front thrower assembly having a housing having at least one rotatable auger and at least one rotatable impeller; a tank; the tank having a hollow interior that includes at least one baffle therein; a main duct disposed between the snow collection system and the tank; the main duct configured to direct snow collected by the snow collection system to the tank; a heating system positioned within the tank; the heating system formed of tubing that lines an interior surface of the tank; the tubing having a wire therein that generates heat from electrical current; the tank having an exhaust opening; and wherein when snow is collected by the snow collection system the snow is directed through the main duct to the tank, the snow is heated by the heating system and converted into steam which is vented through the exhaust opening.
 2. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one baffle includes at least one vent hole near a top edge of the at least one baffle configured to allow steam to travel from one portion of the tank to another portion of the tank.
 3. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one baffle includes at least one fluid hole near a bottom edge of the at least one baffle configured to allow water to travel from one portion of the tank to another portion of the tank.
 4. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein when snow collected by the snow removal apparatus passes through the at least one impeller, the at least one impeller chops the snow into fine particles.
 5. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one impeller is configured in the shape of a fan.
 6. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one impeller is located downstream of the at least one auger.
 7. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tank is insulated to preserve heat and prevent an exterior surface of the tank from becoming excessively hot.
 8. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein electrical current is provided to the heating system by a battery system.
 9. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tank receives exhaust from an engine to help maintain an elevated temperature of the tank.
 10. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wire is a nichrome 80/20 wire that forms a layer of chrominum oxide when heated.
 11. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tubing includes a layer of ceramic electrical insulation covering the wire.
 12. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tubing includes a metal sheath.
 13. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tank includes a drain port configured to drain water out of the tank.
 14. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one brush configured to sweep a ground surface clean.
 15. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ground heater configured to direct heated air toward a ground surface.
 16. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ground heater configured to direct heated air toward a ground surface and at least one brush configured to sweep a ground surface clean, wherein the ground heater is positioned forward of the brush.
 17. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pressure valve configured to selectively allow the passage of steam from the tank into the atmosphere once a predetermined pressure is reached within the tank. 